HILLSVILLE — Salem Veterans' Medical Center administrators and Valor Healthcare officials said at a ribbon-cutting and dedication Monday that they want to offer the quality service through their clinic at Hillsville.

The Hillsville veterans’ outpatient care site operated by Valor has been open since last fall.

On Monday, people like director John Patrick of the Salem facility, Ninth District Rep. Rick Boucher, and Valor president Ray Lanier came to celebrate convenient, high-quality care for veterans living in Carroll and neighboring counties.

HILLSVILLE — Taking advantage of low interest rates through refinancing water and sewer project debt could lead to a savings of between $686,000 and $1.1 million for the Carroll Public Service Authority, a financial advisor said Monday.

R.T. Taylor, associate vice president of Davenport Public Finance, said his company — at the request of the authority members — undertook a financial analysis of capital improvement debt.

A Galax man pleaded with city council last week to extend the number of adoption days for animals awaiting their fate at the regional animal shelter in the city.

More than a month ago, Eric Garrison said he made trips to the animal shelter to feed the dogs treats. Garrison said he spent less than a minute at the shelter, throwing the treats through the cages from the outside and never striking up a conversation with the shelter's staff.

On Monday, motorists in Galax were startled, befuddled and — if they know their Batman comics and movies — maybe amused by a group of phony political campaigners handing out literature near Twin County Cinema III.

Three well-dressed teens held balloons and signs that read “Take Back Gotham City — Vote Harvey Dent.”

No, you haven’t missed Dent’s bid for president, and he’s not running for state office or city council.

Galax School Board members believe a new middle and elementary school gang prevention program could help deter students from joining street gangs and educate them on how to respect others.

This gang prevention program, which will be offered to sixth graders at Galax Middle School, came as a result of an adult who was charged with recruiting GMS students to join the “Bloods” street gang between the months of January and March this year.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A man wanted in connection with the breaking and entering at Patton Motorcycle Sales in the Fairview community of Grayson County, Va., last month turned himself in after leading police on a wild chase.

According to The Shelbyville News — in Shelbyville, Ind. — a Shelby County SWAT team was called out July 7 after an armed suspect — later identified as Kenneth Frank Kipp, 34, of Elkin, N.C. — had fled on foot from police after being involved in a home invasion and attempted robbery.